Barry Westling

Vickie, I think field trips, and to a lesser degree guest speakers, is a very cool experience. It breaks the routine, students see and visualize themselves in their future roles. I've found nearly every time students become very inspired and motivated, to the degree that their grades and effort to do well are improved. Anything that can that kind of impact is very worthwhile. Barry Westling

Brian, Right, that's the plan. What's most important to students is a progress report. I'm sure you've seen the anxiousness of waiting for the quiz or exam scores to be posted - that's a perfect example of the importance students have for knowing their status. Barry Westling

Douglas, I agree that most students want to know where they stand, good or bad, sooner than later. It's only natural. Understanding that, I try to give frequent and early on updates so that students will feel comfortable asking me what their status is in addition to my more formal discussions with them. I believe strongly that a caring, supportive instuctor will be able to convey more than details, but also be a partner in helping the student achieve successfulness in their classes. Barry Westling

Brian, In business, they use an expression called WIFM, for "what's in it for me?" I find that if students are presented with information they see value in or something that will benefit them, they'll pay attention, keep their focus, and end up learning something from the class. There are techniques that work as well, and if you scroll through the forum, you'll see what others have done to counter this situation. Barry Westling

Ida, Great! For me, I feel that reinforcing the objevives throughout the course, and keeping students informed on where they're at in meeting those objectives serves this purpose well. Barry Westling

Ida, Weekly updates are awesome. I can't imaginge a student not feeling well informed of their status in the course with this degree of frequency. Barry Westling

Ida, For me, I try to offer encouragement and support, along with the factual data. This helps get the student through to the end with their heads above water ("C-level"), and they feel I'm pulling for them. Barry Westling

Anitra, Learning with critical thinking prepares students for their chosen work or career environment, but also provides a foundation for approaching life experiences from a more rational, objective perspective. Barry Westling

Patricia, Good thoughts. I think better teachers are willing to accept they don't have all the answers and are open to critical analysis and evaluation, with the intent on improvement. Those who resist remain locked in a dimension of instruction that inevitably limits creativity and innovation in the classroom. Barry Westling

Anitra, Right, and besides it being our job, classes run smoother for us when we are prepared. Students do notice when their teacher is less than ready for class, which probably doesn't contribute favorably towards respect and trust by students towards their instructor. Barry Westling